Protect Your Clothing Investment!

We spend billions on clothing every year. And what happens to all of those favorite sweaters when they are ruined by poor care? We buy more favorite sweaters. In order to preserve that favorite sweater or shirt just a little longer, and to save time on wrinkle restraint, we have included the following tips for clothing storage.

Keep It Clean When it comes time to stow your seasonal clothing, be sure to clean all of it. (Unless you haven't worn it all season. Then you just need to get rid of it.) Be sure the area around your clothing storage is clean, too. When those hungry insects detect dirt or body residue, they will feast. Wool. Cotton. Whatever they can get their proboscises on. Set aside a clean place to always store your clothes, such as a cedar closet or a wardrobe armoire. A wardrobe armoire will keep out insects and other residues that can accumulate in your environment. Also, stains that were once invisible such as perspiration or perfumes, will become apparent over time. Cleaning your clothing before storage in your wardrobe armoire will help retain its original quality.

Invest in Cedar
Because insects can detect smell, we love cedar and lavender. Cedar blocks, cedar spray, cedar closets, cedar chests, cedar hangers - you name it. The bugs dislike it. Cedar and lavender emit a fantastic aroma that both people and pets are fond of. The general rule of thumb is that if you can't smell it, then neither can a moth.

In the same token, moth balls are a more effective way to deter insects, although, because of their smell, they might deter you once you take your clothes out of storage. Be sure that the moth balls do not actually touch your clothing (or it could discolor) by placing them between sheets of muslin or on the top shelf of your wardrobe armoire. And, unfortunately, children seem drawn to these poisonous balls, so keep them out of reach of your little ones.

There are some mothball alternatives that claim to leave fewer odors behind than others and would be worth a try.

Contain the Air
If you are using scented protection for your clothes, a tightly sealed container or an enclosed closet or wardrobe armoire can help retain the scents. When folding and stacking your clothing for long periods of time, for example, in a big plastic tub, locate the heaviest items on the bottom of the pile so that wrinkles are less likely to set into the fabric.

Also, keep the climate somewhere in the 60s and low 70s. Strong sunlight and UV rays will accelerate fabric deterioration; humidity will increase the risk of mold. Storing your clothing in plastic dry-cleaning bags can also cause fabric deterioration.

Protest Shoulder Humps
We've all had one. Or two. The shoulder hump is the result of poor clothing storage. If the garment is heavy, it should probably be folded. Clothing with fragile shoulder areas should also be folded on a shelf or folded at the waist while hanging.

When you choose to fold clothing, start with a wrinkle-free item and keep it flat throughout folding. Make smaller piles so that there will be less weight on the bottom items, and creases will be less likely.

Evenly space your clothing when you hang it. This will decrease the risk of wrinkles and will increase proper ventilation. And, make sure that your collared shirts are buttoned all the way up when you hang them to retain the shape of your collar.

When hanging pants, try to use clamp hangers to avoid creases at the thigh, or having your pants slide off the hanger.

For all practical purposes, avoid the wire hanger. This type of hanger will increase shoulder humps and creases in your clothing. And, by general rule, the lighter and thinner the hanger, the less it can support. For your favorite suit, you would want to consider a thicker, heavier hanger that will properly support the shoulders and maintain form. The heavier the hanger, the better support your expensive clothes will receive.

Find a Wardrobe Armoire
A really great way to organize your clothing, especially if you don't have much closet space, is to find a great-looking, functional wardrobe armoire. The wardrobe armoire will protect your clothes from the sun and humidity and keep them in a clean environment. The wardrobe armoire offers a more air-tight solution, yet allows your clothing space to breathe when stowed carefully. A wardrobe armoire will allow you to store in many ways, including folding, hanging, and keeping your clothes in relatively short piles.

Be sure that the wardrobe armoire that you buy has the type of storage you need. Many wardrobe armoires offer hanging bars, slide-out tray drawers, and removable/adjustable shelves. Most will store your TV, too.

Shop Smart
And, most of all, remember to be a smart shopper. If you're not the dry-cleaning/hand-washing type, or if you just don't have the time, it would be best to check that label before you buy!